Dave Hause Brings The Mermaid to Philadelphia
Philadelphia! Home of the Liberty Bell, Mummers Parades, cheesesteak sandwiches, where the Declaration of Independence was drafted, and where Sylvester Stallone’s movie career launched (well, 4 out of 5 isn’t bad). But most importantly, Philadelphia also launched rocker Dave Hause, who brought his full band, Dave Hause and the Mermaid, to Philly’s beautiful riverfront Spruce Street Harbor Park this past Saturday for a free concert as part of Philadelphia’s Summer Sounds Concert Series, held the last Saturday of the month from May through September.
Starting the night off was local Philadelphia band The Tisburys, who delivered a strong performance and could have easily carried the evening on their own. Lead singer and songwriter Tyler Asay fronted their indie-pop sound, which was a fitting introduction to the night’s festivities.
As the late-summer sun began to dip below the horizon, Dave Hause and The Mermaid took the stage before a growing crowd gathered at the Lazy Hammock Stage, named for the free hammocks available on a first-come basis just north of the performance area. Joining Dave were his younger brother and part-time writing partner, Tim, on guitar, Luke Preston on bass, Mark Masefield on keyboards, and Kevin Conroy on drums. This lineup was special for the Hause brothers, who often tour as a duo or trio with Masefield, but with a new Mermaid album about to drop, the full band is on the road, a true treat for longtime fans. Adding to the moment, Jared Hart, solo artist and lead singer of Mercy Union and The Scandals, joined for several songs.
Dave opened his 90-minute set with “We Could Be Kings” from the 2013 album “Devour,” a rocking number that energised the crowd. “Low,” from 2023’s “Drive It Like It’s Stolen,” followed, a mid-tempo reflection on unconditional love in difficult times, paired with “Hazard Lights” from the same album, exploring the uncertain space between a known past and an unknown future.
The show featured five songs from the new album releasing later this month (September 26): “Cellmates,” reflecting on a shared past among friends; “Enough Hope,” about the divide between the haves and the have-nots; “Look Alive,” a wake-up call for those stuck in apathy; “Mockingbird Blues,” introduced with a story about birds near his home; and “Yer Outa My Hair,” a song that speaks for itself.
For longtime fans of his punk roots with The Loved Ones, Dave delivered a powerful version of “Jane.” During “Surfboard,” he managed both a shout-out to his nieces in the audience and a playful nod to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” which thrilled the crowd. Other fan favourites that night included “Autism Vaccine Blues,” “Saboteurs,” “Sandy Sheets” with a nod to New Jersey beachgoers, “Father’s Son,” “The Ditch,” and “Damn Personal.”
A special moment came when he dedicated “Dirty Fucker” to none other than President 45/47, referencing past remarks from U.S. officials about his intellect.
The night closed with the band exiting the stage, only for Dave, Tim, and Mark to return for a moving version of “Fireflies.”
‘Can you meet me there tonight?
I don’t want nothing but your hand in mine
Like when we were young and wild eyed
We had nothing but plenty of time
Lit under the fireflies’
It was a night where Dave Hause and The Mermaid came, played, and conquered—an unforgettable evening on the banks of the Delaware River.
Photos (c) David Fang
